5 Ways to Tell if a Nutrition Study is Rubbish

This was following a recently released podcast episode from Zoe Science. In this episode, Prof Sarah Berry claimed “that seed oils are not harmful”. She stated that she was shocked by the amount of "nutri-nonsense" out there.

We have gone through the podcast and the references and what we found was shocking.

You can read our analysis here.

And for those of you who are interested, we put together 5 red flags that you can identify. This will help you determine the validity of a study.

5 Ways To Tell if a Nutrition Study is Rubbish

Red Flag #1 - Vested Interest Groups Funding Trials

In our analysis of the Zoe Science reference articles, a small amount of digging revealed that one of the studies was funded by a n Itlain food company that makes corn oil (which they have branded as heart oil).

No surprises that the outcome of the study was favourable for this heart oil. Check the funding body at the end of the paper. Big food companies fund a large proportion of nutritional studies

Red Flag #2 - Scientists Funded by No-for-Profit Nutrition Foundations

Most Nutrition Foundations e.g. the British Nutrition Foundation are in fact lobby groups funded by the Processed Food Industry masquerading as foundations for the good of public health. They often fund the scientists to be on the boards or subcommittees.

Red Flag #3 - Small Study Size

A study of 20 men (for example) is not enough to make a determination or recommendation despite what newspaper headlines may say. A good study must be reproducible.

In order for it to be relevant to the general public, then all demographics should be studied. This includes men, women and different ethnic and cultural groups.

Red Flag #4 - Correlation is Not Causation

What correlation means is that because something is associated with an outcome does not mean it causes it.

An example is, if it is raining more umbrellas are being used. Does this mean that umbrellas cause rain? Umbrellas are associated with rain but they clearly don't cause it.

Red Flag #5 - Food Diaries

Many studies are retrospective meaning there is an outcome and the researchers want to know the contributing factors.

So they ask people to remember what they ate over a period of time (sometimes a year or more!) to see whether particular foods contributed to or caused a scenario such as heart disease for example.

Follow the Money

Unfortunately, science has been largely corrupted by vested interested groups. It seems shocking and really hard to believe.

The fact is there's no money in sensible advice.

You know our food philosophy.
✔️ Eat most of your food as real food.
✔️ Prioritise your protein
✔️ If you are insulin resistant then reducing your carbohydrates is a powerful lever to improving your metabolic health.

An easy formula:

• Pick your protein - meat, fish, eggs, dairy
• Add some veggies - choose low starch veggies
• Add some fat if the protein is lean - olive oil, butter, cream avocado nuts
• Add some seasoning - herbs, spices & salt

With love and great health

Dr Lucy and Dr Mary XX

Dr Mary Barson and Dr Lucy are the founders of Real Life Medicine. They help women who have been on every diet under the sun, optimise their health and achieve long lasting weight loss without feeling miserable or deprived.

They do this with their 3 step framework that

• Improves metabolism
• Develops mindset skills
• Provides tools to implement it easily into busy lives

With this comes increased energy, vitality and confidence.

You can avoid chronic disease and stop living life on the sidelines!